I can't believe I forgot to mention Gary Jeffries! 😄 Patricia's cat has the best face in the world, even more reason to visit her channel. Watch her video here > ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mN04k87RGW0.html and say hi to her from me!
One trick that works for me is when I see something I want to buy in a store I take a photo of it instead. That way I feel like I am getting the thrill without the bill. Every few weeks I browse through my photos and realize I’m glad I didn’t buy all of that stuff.
Mindi Bear that's a great idea. Also it's nice just to consume with your eyes. Like in an art museum. You possess it in some way just purely through admiration and sight but you are not physically taking anything. Most things we just admire anyway before we walk away to admire something else. If we see it that way it's easier not to spend.
I do it too... but once a shop owner actually told me off for taking a picture of her shop window. I was outside the shop and she came out just to tell me not to take photos. I told her I simply took the photo because the items were beautiful and that she should take it as a compliment. She said the things are for buying, not for pictures. I don't think she can really tell people not to take photos of something that's visible to the public street. And thanks to how rude she was I decided I would take my well earned money somewhere else.
Ever realize the very same joy you get purchasing something for yourself you can also gain "decluttering" a space & then donating the items! The later joy is more "permanent" giving you joy everytime you see that space & raises your self-esteem too vs. the first received from buying which is very temporary & may later actually bring you down (looking at the bill or at "more stuff").
I was raised by an accountant mother that taught me the importance of money budgeting in the early age. As her child, i had to send her my finance report at the end of the month. In this report, i wrote what i have done with my monthly allowance that she has given to me. My mom, also open my first back account with my own name. Then she encouraged me to put the money left of my pocket money to my bank account. I was only 8 years old at that time. I admit that i hate to do it, just like the other kids. But, i have kept to do it until i found my first job. Then, this monthly budgeting ritual has become my habits for years. Although, i don't show my finance report to my mom again. Now , i am 37 years old. Thanks to my strict mom, i have no issue to manage my own finance .
I put off buying a handbag I wanted this year for so long that the color I wanted was sold out but bonus I ended up getting it for 75% off in a color I wouldn’t normally choose but love. Great video as always. 🥰
Browse, appreciate, move on...I will remember this tip forever... Thanks a million, Vera... We need more people like you in this age and time of overspending. Truly appreciate your work.
If I am on a trip I want to remember, I would buy something ordinary I need every day. For example, when we were in our capital city as students before our final exams, I bought nail clippers in a mall. I still have it 10 years later and it reminds me of the trip every time I use it without any clutter
Haha yes that's a good tip! :) And I agree, now if it's something I buy on a trip, I make sure it's an object I actually use in my every day life. Except for a fridge magnet haha
I started to actually buy food when on a holiday, for example spices. It is something I will use for a long time and every time I use it reminds me of the trip 😁
Grocery stores are a great place to buy “souvenirs.” Unusual teas, coffees, cookies/candies are fun to bring home and much less expensive than the usual souvenirs.
Totally love this! I had “food processor/blender” on my list for MONTHS, found a BF sale and pulled the trigger - I saved €50+ and got EXACTLY what I wanted. 🤩👍
Definitely yes to budgeting! “Tell your money where to go, instead of wondering where it went” ~Dave Ramsey. I have increased my net worth and overall financial progress, just by keeping a budget and tracking my spending.
I find myself becoming less sensitive for sales, unless it is an item that I need, then of course I will go for the item once it’s on sale. All those Black Friday commercials are very annoying to me, consumerism is through the roof and the effect it has on our planet is devastating. Thank you for another insightful video that I think the world needs right now! ❤️
Nothing external from yourself can make you happy........only temporarily. True happiness comes from within you.......look inward. Living with gratitude for the present moment, as it is, not looking at it as if there is something lacking. 🙂
Sometomes at physical stores, i will fill up my cart with things i impulsively want. Then i walk around for a while and reevaluate. I end up putting at least half or 3/4 back, and i still felt the excitement of picking them out! By the time im ready to check out, the excitement is gone! And i can see more clearly the things that would actually improve my life, or that i need
Hello Vera! Thank you again for your time making this video. 😊 I have been budjetin my wardrobe for about 6-7 years now. 65 €/month has worked pretty well. So if I need to by something like winter jacket, which can cost even 6 month budjet it simple means I can't buy anything else during 6 months. Or if I spend my year budjet in August/September it means I'm not allowed to by anything else that year. 😅
I agree that just browsing can be just as satisfying as actually purchasing something. I kind of pride myself on not paying full price for clothing, shoes and jewelry. Great tips, Vera! ☺️🙌👍
Yes its called the Hedonic Treadmill. We have a base line of happiness and they say after about a year regardless of our life circumstances good or bad we return back to base levels.
Oh my!! Vera, It was only a few days ago I was watching Patricia's video when she said she had collaborated with you, and mentioned to watch your videos! I just needed to get to my computer to comment, I can't find to do that on a TV? Anyway, I have been following BOTH of you for a couple of years now. You are my overseas beautiful inspiration on intentional living etc,, and Patricia is my aussie equivilent, and I am Aussie, and I haven't found anymone I like more than Patricia in Australia . Love ' A small Wardrobe' channel. Patricia has an awesome humour in her videos, and of course her gorgeous son,😺 Gary Jeffries, is a real star. You guys are so complimentary, while being so different at the same time, what a great partnership. My two faves as besties making awesome like minded relevant stuff, that I personally love to watch. Obviously there are heaps of fans feeling the same yay!! In the big wide world of RU-vid, I find it amazing that you guys found each other. Love it 😍
I used shopping for something to do but much more mindful now. Also now shop with a list and a money limit. Working my way to minimalism by having decluttered for several months now. Feels great.
Patricia sent me over to say Hi. These are great tips. I intentional buy these days which is a huge step for me as I used to buy all sorts of home decor and clothing without even considering if I needed it. I have saved so much money and now find it really easy to appreciate an item and then walk away from it. Your nature scenery is stunning and so calming. A great collaboration with A Small Wardrobe. 👍
I'm budgeting vera so really appreciate this content. I've been meal planning! I've also just got rid of 8 bags of impulse buys and I felt so guilty for all the waste. decluttering is really making me wiser in my spending choices. 🥰. the upside is charity has benefited. but I cant afford to keep doing it x
Glad you enjoyed the video! :) And congrats on getting rid of the 8 bags. :) No need for feeling guilty, all we can do is try to learn from any purchasing 'mistakes' we've made, and try not to repeat them in the future. Have a lovely week
I made a wish list for the first time this year and it really helped me make sure I stick to it and not buy other things I don't need. Loved seeing you collab with Patricia. You both are my favorite minimalist channels 😄💕
I bought real leather bags for about 500€. I had 4 - two bigger ones and two smaller- those cost a little less. I Love them, still have 3 of them and sold the fourth one, because I don‘t need to take so much stuff with me anymore, because my children got older. The cheap handbags never have the quality. My excitement never got less - still Love and appreciate them. Greetings from Austria 🇦🇹☺️
Absolutely love ASMALLWARDROBE so to see both of my sweeties in the same video is a gift.....Such a lovely collab...you are both so genuine and real...Big Hugs
Before the pandemic I would use a shopping cart and pick things up that I liked, carry them around for a while and then put them back. I used to love sales as well. My husband used to use the term "Going broke, saving money". Thanks for your tips!
Smiled when you said you like to now browse instead of shopping, so you treat a shop like a museum. Great you did a collab with Patricia from A Small Wardrobe. Enjoy your weekend and greetings from freezing Zurich.
Hi Vera!😊Just discovered your amazing channel, keep up the amazing videos-- we need them! I checked out Patricia's video today as well. You two are so cute and inspiring, too. 🙏🏻You are so lucky that you have discovered minimalism at such a young age. I am 56 and just starting. Wish me (and everyone!) good luck 🍀
I'm so happy to realised I already do almost everything.. I avoided minimalism for a long time (because I was scary to face it) but I stopped resisting this year and it is nice to see a lot of things were already inside me some how
Love your job and the effort because is very eye opening Vera! I'm not a minimalist and don't know if will ever be but you have make me feel more aware of material things. Cognitive process is something you should talk more in detail (plase) I was shocked like is something "we wknow" but we don't bring that information to the conversation and we forget and focus on the emotional part like guilt and deprivation and then buy again (not like it happens to everybody all the time but I can't be the only one).
so excited forgot to comment on your video! I Love this video! I actually track our household spending and budget. Yes it's an eye opener where your money goes. If I go 'over' my budget one month, I reduce the next months budget by the overspend amount. You are so right about buying one thing and then buying other things to go with it is a trap. I'm tending to step back after viewing an item, and wait for a few days to think about it before I purchase. Recently I purchased new activewear, as I have lost weight over the last couple of years, and my gym gear was getting a bit loose, so I invested in new active wear online with Black Friday sales. Before I did, I put the items in the cart, and reviewed them over a few days, and removed some, and in the end really happy with my purchases. I love them all, great price, and I have removed more items than I purchased to donate, as they are still in really good condition, as I am very careful looking after all my clothing.
I loved the idea of saving what you want first from your paycheck and this way you can spend what you have left without any guilt.That way your spending has gone more mindful and intentional! Thnx Vera, I'm off to watch Patrick as channel now!
Impulse, bored, stress; buying and eating 2020! Love your tips, cause that was me. Thankfully I am aware if these things now. Thank you so much for sharing your insights! Love you!❤🙏🤍
Such great content! I see myself how I used to be with impulse buying. Over the years I've realized that I don't need most of the stuff I have bought. I remember going on vacation and buying gifts for my family and it was very stressful because I wanted to make sure I got everybody something. On one vacation I bought mugs for everyone and when one of them broke in my suitcase, I was devastated. Plus they took up a lot of space. My husband and I actually live in the house that was his mother's and she saved everything! She lived in Europe during WWII so didn't have a lot so was very frugal. What I do if I want something new is I "shop" in the garage or basement and find items that my MIL saved but are still good and use them.
Such great thoughts and help to have and consider, thank you for sharing. Have bought on line, didn’t fit, had to return and the shipping cost, and didn’t even keep the item. It cost me to just try it on! Lesson learned.
You made SO many good points about so many things! The swapping emotional shopping for emotional eating thing hit home....... Since I’ve been sorting my clothes and getting rid of so much because it doesn’t fit any more I’ve been replacing things with things that fit....BUT I haven’t really been thinking about what I’m replacing and why, or if I REALLY need it. I didn’t know I needed to watch this video, but I guess I did! Thanks Vera!
You have captions :)! Thank you for putting in all of the time and effort in captioning all of your videos! I encountered one of your other minimalism videos and I realized that the rest of your channel is properly captioned as well. Thank you for sharing your tips and making your videos more accessible! Just wanted to let you know that I notice and appreciate it ✌🏻
Thanks so much Sophia for your kind comment, that's nice to hear :) I always make sure to caption my videos because I want as many people to be able to enjoy them as possible :)
A great video with great insights! I used to spend a lot of money to buy things that were supposed to make me happy, but it only worked for a short time. At the end it ended up sitting somewhere around to catch some dust. Being conscious about what we buy and if we really need it is super helpful. That works even with food choices! Before we just put anything we want into our bodies we might want to be conscious about what it does to us and why we might have that craving at the moment. Often times it's just a trigger to help us short term with unwanted emotions.
Thanks for the savings tip. I actually never thought of doing that, but I will now. For 2021 I'm going to try not to buy anymore washi tape or art markers. I'm also going go try and organized all the tapes and markers I already own.
First: budgeting, sticking to it and keeping track of your spending really help! Regarding buying an outfit: I don't agree to do that. When you have decided on your style, your colors, you should be able to match that new dress with shoes you already have in your wardrobe! When browsing stores and shop: I take ideas: how to mix the clothes I already have or wear them in a different way or for decor items, what I can display differently or what I can make myself or if I can find something similar in a thrift shop....I no longer buy on Black Friday or any specific sales: we have sales practically all year round now...
Thanks for sharing Janic! :) Yes I agree, with a smaller wardrobe it's easier to find things that can already blend in with the rest of your clothing items, that is how I usually do it as well. When you're in the process of changing your style, then it could be helpful to make sure you're buying outfits that you can immediately start wearing
@@SimpleHappyZen Vera you are my ZEN..... You have made such a impact on my life, and I am happy to say I think just like you, it has been 4 years of learning to think different in how I shop, what comes into my home. I swear even if I am at a dollar store I really think so long and hard on what I am purchasing.... I love my home open and airy... I actually donated my coffee table this week😉❤️
I am the only person who does not get happiness from shopping?? ... I hate it.. Yes the new thing is "nice" if its needed, but it never makes me "happy" because 1) I hate shops and shopping (they stress me because of all the people), and 2) I hate giving money out for "stuff" which I know adds more inventory/clutter to my home... Even if I know I need it! So.. I don't feel any urge "to shop" and I rarely look at sales.. I do what you do, if something on my list can wait for a sale, then I wait! I don't buy shoes or clothes online, in fact I try to buy nothing online.. I prefer to be able to see it "in person" and be able to take it back.. I only buy online if it is not available in a shop. Love this video and your self care list idea Vera.. Great! 😊😊
D.I.Y. Self-Care Activities are Low to No Cost, Yet Priceless & Peaceful. Also keeping a Wish List the past over a year has saved me lots, Especiallly on my Wardrobe. If the Beautiful Red Sweater I see is not on my list, I probably do need it. It also helps me wait patiently & catch the best deals on what I 'plan' to purchase because I'm mindful, aware, & have an eye out for it.
This video was soo timely.... I have gone though my small star ships collections lately and sized down to the items that I actually has some connections with emotionally and no longer need or in a look out for new things. I think what you said about "seeing the bigger picture" is very important as that makes helping avoiding mistakes and help saving money. I also implemented a rule if I really want to purchase something I must get rid of something else... that usually helps re-evaluating it fi I really need that new shiny item in my life. :) Great video and with loads of very helpful tips. Keep up the good work Vera. :)
Thanks so much for sharing, glad you enjoyed the video!! Yes the 1 in 1 out rule is not only great for keeping your possessions minimal, but also for buying fewer new things, because it makes you consider if something is actually better than the thing you would have to get rid of :)
@@SimpleHappyZen Absolutely, and this saved me a lot, also in some occasion made me realise that some of the items I had they aren't really important to me any more, so was good to clear them out. Memories make us what we are, not our items and I an a hoarder of my memories. :D
Love that wishlist with the categories at 3:30, the way you drew it out is very aesthetically pleasing. We are going to have to start doing it that way!
Thanks so much! It was a spread in my new bullet journal setup for 2021, so feel free to check out that video too :) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Y21EnUH8i5E.html
I budget every incoming dollar, every month. I’m in an interesting season of life now. I have saved all my life for my needs in retirement, often going without so I could save. I no longer need to save and spending the money I have seems extravagant especially if it is spent on something I want but don’t really need.
Great tips! I have a list I made earlier this year of self care that isn’t shopping that I can return to any time I want ideas for free things to do to take care of myself that don’t involve buying anything. I think it’s a great idea!
I love your videos Vera, they are so inspiring. I have just started on my minimalist journey and I am still learning. There are days I do struggle but I think I will get there in the end.
So nice to see you two collab! Am loving the content of both channels for quite some time already :) You have very different personalities, but are both really authentic and add value to the minimalism community in your own special way! Thanks for that! 😘
Nice video Vera! As a minimalist myself maybe some other useful tips. What I save money with is, among other things, by not allowing the temperature in your room to rise above 20 Celsius degrees. Just put on an extra sweater or invest in good insulation. It also helps to check your insurance policies annually. That makes a lot of money. Keeping good control over your administration not only gives you a tidy feeling, but also the opportunity to avoid fines, cancel subscriptions on time, see when you can switch TV / internet subscriptions, for example. And if you have your own house, pay off as much as possible. Tax benefits do not outweigh mortgage-free living in my view. Maybe this helps also....
Thanks so much for sharing Simone! :) We also are always mindful of not letting the temperature rise above 20 C, and always put on an extra sweater before using the heater. Really saves a bunch :)
Oh, I bought somethings a few weeks ago, but yesterday on 'black Friday' I saw them on sale. It just made me regret buying them then, when I could spend less buying exactly the same things:( Love you and your channel Vera. Take care
One thing that works so well that I want to share it:- When shopping( this even works with food shopping as well as trinkets and treats and all sorts of stuff) If you see something you like and want to buy, pick it up, hold it. Put it in your trolley or shopper's basket, and remember to look at the item, maybe hold it some more. After a little while, you can put it back. You've given yourself the endorphin rush of "oh boy, I'm holding it, it's mine!!" Maybe as you've kept walking you looked at the item and wondered, "Now where will I wear/put/display/store/eat or otherwise use this thing? Is my life going to be improved because I buy this?" Then you get *another* endorphin rush by being virtuous and putting the item back. If that's too tough, hold it some more, give it back to the cashier. If you feel you really *do* want the pink leggings with polka dots, promise yourself you'll come back after consulting your budget. You go home victorious. Even if you decide to budget/save for the item, you're still training your brain and shopping habits into good behaviour. But if you know you won't ever buy it, and are in fact grateful you didn't buy it; (another reward is no shopper's remorse!). If that's the case, you really reward yourself by putting the cost into savings. You originally intended to buy, and it's unlikely you could/would return the item, so that money would have been gone anyway. Therefore put the money you "saved" into your savings account. There you are, you've got another reward of endorphins rushing to see the savings grow. I really find these actions very helpful. They do work, and I've seen this method mentioned in at least a couple of financial blogs and vlogs. Yes, of course you might decide that you really do want that poster of the dogs playing poker, and you buy it. Well, if you decided that after trying the trolley plan, and the "Where will I put it" thought process, you obviously really wanted it. You can't be frugal every minute, and maybe it's a case of "wanting that since I was a kid!" You've still done some brain training, and the fact that you do sometimes get to purchase things means your subconscious is less likely to sabotage you. One of the blogs that mention this, said there had been psych studies, which showed most people(by a wide margin) felt as much or almost as much pleasure in just a temporary ownership as those that did go ahead and buy things. Those people in turn, said they didn't get an increase in pleasurable feeling after purchase. I'm sorry for my essay. I just wanted to share something useful that I've never heard any minimalist mention. It works to a really surprising extent, and it means you can still indulge in shopping as a leisure activity, which is how many people now view it. Use it online, too. Put it in your cart/bag and keep shopping, go back and look at it several times, planning(where will I put this, how do I pay for it, etc). Then leave the site. Very often you will later get an email reminding you, and quite often you'll be offered a discount. It's great that a big financial saving technique works well with minimalism, I think. I really enjoy your vids, and thank you for them. I know it's a bit rude to ask, but I'd love to see a walk-through of your apartment. Any chance of that, please? TL;dr if prone to impulse buying, put the item on your trolley/basket; plan what to do with it. Put it back. You save money as well as not cluttering up your house, and still get much of the pleasure of "retail therapy" And I'm sorry for the long essay. Believe it or not I actually deleted quite a bit! Stay safe everyone. The second wave of our plague has arrived for many. Don't let anyone breathe on you! Stay home and downsize! Believe me, you can make de-cluttering an on going activity. It's shaming how much *stuff* is left after doing a massive and brutal de-clutter.
I know financial experts say to have a budget...but my problem is that my income varies from month to month so items hard to budget beforehand. In 2021, I definitely want to figure out a budgeting strategy that will work for me. Excited to see what challenges you’ll do Vera!
2 years ago I took 2 months to bring down all holiday decorations. It was way too much. Although I didn't discard my decor collection ,I decided to rotate it year by year. And my goal was not buy any more decorations for holidays. It was difficult. Satying up at night and crying. Leaving credit card at home while grocery shopping bad. But I did it. No DIY, no off season shopping.
Amazing video! I totally get the appreciation thing but I came to realise that it’s not too common. For example when I‘m talking to my mum and show her something I think is very nice she immediately asks things like “But is that your colour? Where do you want to put it? Do you really need that?“ and I just say “no, I don’t want that, it’s just very pretty.” My feeling is that voicing your appreciation is equal to wanting something for most people.
Thank you Cathy!! :) Yes I was wondering about that, can you also call it window shopping if you're browsing the items inside the store? Or does it have to be in the store windows?
Great video. I just make a list of things I need, look for the best deal and if I can see myself getting lots of use out of it. I actually rarely buy on impulse because in most cases you can't see a long term use for it.
